This was our ninth cruise and 5th with Holland America line. After reading some of the reviews I was a bit worried but HAL did not disappoint.

Yes to start the ship is older and could use some maintenance here and there but so is most of her guests. Average age was 70+ with a few families and children on board.

And yes there have been several changes which HAL have instituted like eliminating the midnight desert extravaganza but when you ask questions it makes sense why it was eliminated. With all the work effort and food that went into it no one ate it but still the service is top of the industry and their wasn’t a time that I walked through the ship where I didn’t see someone cleaning or polishing. Oosterdam may be old but the crew keep every part clean and they take pride in what they do. Read more